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Volkswagen preparing Tiguan Coupe R

Volkswagen has might proliferation plans for the SUV side of the VW brand, Autocar listing a range that will comprise seven models and variants on sale by 2018. The next-generation Tiguan will play a large part in tripling VW's crossover lineup, a development discussed a year ago, with a standard model, the three-row long-wheelbase version to be built in Mexico, and a five-door "Coupe" variant that will get an R version worked up by the in-house R team. The Tiguan Coupe R is aimed at the performance end of the compact crossover field, giddyup coming from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder with something like 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque that works through a six-speed dual-clutch transmission. Underpinnings are expected to be cribbed from the Golf R; a hotter suspension tune with a lower ride height and four-mode damping. The sprint to 62 miles per hour would clock in around 5.1 seconds, and handling nous would be aided by all-wheel drive and electronic torque vectoring. It will need all of that in order to catch up to the competitive set listed by Autocar of the 375-hp Mercedes-AMG GLA45, 309-hp Audi RS Q3, and potential Range Rover Evoque SVR and BMW X2 M. The CrossBlue Coupe seen in Shanghai earlier this year will provide the styling cues, we're told, with rakish glass front and back, and thick C-pillars supporting a leaner greenhouse. We'll likely see the basic Tiguan at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show, then will come the long-wheelbase in 2016, the regular Coupe in 2017 along with the Touareg and US-built CrossBlue, then in 2018 the Tiguan Coupe R, CrossBlue Coupe, and Nissan Juke-fighting T-Roc. Related Video:

German judge 'inclined to dismiss' hedge fund lawsuit against Porsche

Last year, around two dozen investors, including hedge funds, leveled a 1.4 billion euro ($1.95 billion at the time) lawsuit against Porsche in connection with the automaker's attempted takeover of Volkswagen in 2008. The Stuttgart Regional Court dismissed the case. Around 19 of those plaintiffs are heading back to court to appeal the ruling and still hope to get 1.2 billion euros ($1.4 billion). However, according to one German judge, the chances for success aren't any better this time around. "On balance it's our view that we consider the lawsuit, or the appeal, to be unpromising for several reasons," Gerhard Ruf, a judge in Stuttgart, said to Reuters. "We are inclined to dismiss the case." The court's ruling on the appeal will be announced on March 26. The investors' case hinges on Porsche's strategy surrounding the botched takeover. The sports car maker said that it wasn't trying to control VW, when in fact it was. These hedge funds had bet against Volkswagen stock, but the share price surged when Porsche's plan inevitably came to light. Investors have sued the sports car company multiple times since then in attempts to recoup billions of dollars. However, none of the lawsuits have been successful, whether attempted in the US or Germany. Former Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking and and CFO Holger Haerter might still stand trial for the alleged stock manipulation, though. News Source: ReutersImage Credit: Matthias Rietschel / AP Photo Government/Legal Porsche Volkswagen lawsuit hedge funds porsche lawsuit

New investor allows Suzuki to fend off VW

After years of legal wrangling, the long-soured partnership between Volkswagen and Suzuki looks finally to be coming out of arbitration, according to Bloomberg. As a sign of the Japanese brand's improved fortunes, hedge fund Third Point LLC recently bought an undisclosed stake in the company. The investor reported seeing a major opportunity in the successful Maruti Suzuki business in India. As an investment, the only major problem that Third Point found with Suzuki was its legal battle with VW. "The company's greatest asset is its low-cost manufacturing process for vehicles for the emerging market consumer," the fund said in a letter, according to Bloomberg. Third Point reportedly also wants a seat on Suzuki's board, despite being a minority shareholder. The alliance between Suzuki and VW goes back to late 2009. In the deal, the Japanese brand was meant to get access to cutting-edge tech, and the German firm got a helping hand towards better establishing itself in India and Southeast Asia. Things didn't go as planned, though. Less than two years later, Suzuki's boss publicly derided the deal. Eventually, the allegations started going back and forth, and the two have been working out a way to untangle practically ever since. Among the biggest issue has been how to get back the 19.9 percent stake that VW purchased. According to Bloomberg, the arbitration is now technically over. With the divorce nearly final, the two sides are just waiting on a decision on how to split things up. Suzuki may even just buy VW's stake to get the shares back.